Comparing Federal and Private Student Loans
Seven out of 10 college graduates in the U.S. have student loans, and if you’re one of them – or if you’ll need to borrow soon for higher education – you should know your loan options. In the student loan market, there are two main types of loans: federal student loans and private student loans. […]
Obama Gives Student Loan Relief to Millions with College Debt
New student loan legislation signed by President Barack Obama will lower borrowing costs for millions of Americans with college debt. The President signed an executive order that expands a 2010 law that allows borrowers to cap their federal student loan repayments at 10% of their income. Among the provisions in the legislation, college grads will […]
Can I Get a Car Loan with No Credit History?
Q: I recently found a car I really liked and could afford, however, when auto dealer at Toyota wanted to run my credit, (over phone, by the way) with my approval, he called back and said, no credit history is coming up on all three reports…I just pulled all three credit history reports with scores, with no […]
How to Use the Library to Save $1,000 or More In College
College students spend about $1,200 a year on books and supplies, according to the latest data from the College Board. That’s a lot of cash. But believe it or not, the National Association of College Stores reports that spending on college textbooks is actually on the decline. Textbook expenditures are heading south due to two […]
How To Get Your Free Credit Reports Step-by-Step
Getting your free credit reports is an important aspect of managing your credit and keeping tabs on your overall finances. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay for this. You can actually access each of your credit files online, instantly, and free of charge. Just go to http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com. That is the federally-mandated website that the government has ordered the credit bureaus […]
How to Qualify For Financial Aid
If your child will be going off to college one day, you may be wondering how to qualify for financial aid. There are two types of financial aid students can get for higher education: need-based aid and merit aid. Need based aid is tied to your family’s economic circumstances, and it takes into account […]
5 Tips to Think Like and Become a Millionaire
You might not know it, but May 20th is “Be a Millionaire Day.” I have no idea who thought of this “holiday.” But I do know that it’s never a bad time to set some financial goals. And if being a millionaire is one of your goals, it can help to start thinking like a […]
Facing Court Over a Defaulted Private Student Loan? Here’s What to Do
Q: I live in California and have a defaulted private student loan that has been bought by an attorney who now has filed a court judgment. I will appear in court to dispute but would like to know recommendations or what I can to do. A: Since you have a court case pending, you should contact […]
Sterling Learns How Racism Can Cost You Money – And Much More
The racist comments made by Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling is the talk of the sports world and the nation right now. Even President Barack Obama has weighed in on the matter. In case you missed all the social media discussion, media interviews or stories about the scandal, here’s a quick recap.
Free Summer Alternatives to Pricey Pre-College Programs
As the school year comes toward a close, hundreds of thousands of high school teens will enroll in pre-college programs, including some very expensive programs that cost $1,500 or more per week. But pricey pre-college programs aren’t the only options for teenagers who want to spend their summers in a productive way. Teens can also […]
Should You Pay Charged-Off Debt? What You Need to Know
Should You Pay Charged-Off Debt? What You Need to Know Charged-off debt is a term many consumers encounter, often with confusion and concern. When a creditor gives up on collecting and writes your account off as a loss, that debt doesn’t just disappear—it stays on your credit report and can haunt your finances for years. […]
IRS Scam Shows 3 Key Differences Between G-Men and Con-Men
Financial scams are more common than ever in the U.S., and IRS scams are affecting millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many victims of tax-related financial scams fall for these schemes because they mistakenly think they’re dealing with the IRS, some “government” department, or an “official” representative of a federal, state or local agency. Con men can […]
How to Manage Auto Loan Payments When You’re Suddenly Unemployed
Dealing with unemployment can be a stressful time in your life and you will need to spend some time reworking your budget and ensuring that you are meeting your debt obligations. If you have an auto loan, it is even more important to prioritize your baseline expenses and make sure you are setting aside enough […]
Are You Guilty of These Financial Mistakes?
It’s great to have goals to help you get ahead in life. But setting totally unrealistic goals is one of the most common financial mistakes I see all the time. Maybe it’s human nature. But way too many individuals spend many years – sometimes even decades – getting themselves into financial trouble. Then they want […]
Coping With Divorce When He Is The Primary Breadwinner
Coping With Divorce When He Is The Primary Breadwinner Q: My husband is leaving after twenty years of marriage. He has been the primary bread winner. I make 25,000 a year doing job a love. I and my adult children will be living together for one year (hopefully). I do not know where to begin with […]